Rebuilding parent-teacher associations after the pandemic

Meetings in Hafnarfjörður for parents and guardians of nursery and primary school children

Recently signed Home and School an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Children's Affairs, and one of the first projects of the agreement is to promote the revival of parent-teacher associations in the wake of the pandemic and to strengthen regional parent organisations across the country. Home-School Partnership is launching its journey and training in Hafnarfjörður with three community meetings in the coming weeks. The meetings, which will be held both in-person and streamed, are intended for parents and guardians of pupils in all of Hafnarfjörður's nurseries and primary schools. The first one will be held on 14th March. Further meetings will be advertised when dates are confirmed.

First meeting at Hvaleyrarskóli on Tuesday, 14th March at 7:45 p.m.

The first Home-School meeting in Hafnarfjörður will be held at Hvaleyrarskóli on Tuesday, 14th March at 19:45. This meeting is intended specifically for parents and guardians of pupils at Hraunvallaskóli, Hvaleyrarskóli and Skarðshlíðarskóli and the nurseries in these areas. The schools are promoting the meetings specifically within their own communities. The meetings will cover the importance of parent involvement and active communication between home and school, as well as the role of parents in relation to the Well-being of Children Act. HOGS is working on the project and organising the meetings in collaboration and consultation with stakeholders such as the municipalities and schools, the National Centre for Education, the Icelandic Family and Child Agency, the Icelandic Teachers' Association, Móðurmál, the Association of Icelandic Local Authorities, and the Association of Headteachers and Principals of Iceland.

Excellent and effective collaboration between home, school and the City of Hafnarfjörður.

On Anti-Bullying Day, 8 November 2022, the City of Hafnarfjörður and the Home-School Partnership signed a cooperation agreement. which formalises certain tasks and further promotes and strengthens the strong parental, preventative and educational work in the municipality, among other things through targeted education and advice from specialists from the Home-School partnership. For example, pupils in all Year 6 classes in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools receive the so-called SAFT education in the spring, under the title 'Let's be smart', and it is also planned to organise SAFT educational meetings (online meetings) for parents of children and young people in Hafnarfjörður, where the role of parents and preventative measures in online matters are discussed. These meetings are in addition to those organised about the importance of parental involvement and cooperation in the children's local community.

Prevention starts with the family

The preventative policy in Hafnarfjörður aims for its preventative work to cover most of the factors that can influence a healthy lifestyle. Prevention starts with the family, and it is therefore fundamental that it is on a firm footing. All activities run by the City of Hafnarfjörður aim to ensure a positive environment for the family, as research indicates that the social environment is a major factor in how young people get on in life. The family, school and organised social activities are modern institutions that are crucial for the upbringing of young people and are among the most likely to be able to reduce the influence of undesirable external factors and decrease or minimise risky behaviour. Furthermore, participation in organised sports and leisure activities has a positive effect on young people's lifestyles. Important institutions involved in prevention include schools, youth centres, parents' associations, social services, health services, sports clubs, the police, religious organisations, and voluntary associations, as well as formal and informal activities run by young people. It is important that all those involved in child-rearing in one way or another work together to ensure that Hafnarfjörður is a family-friendly environment. Active dialogue and collaboration between homes and schools is important, and parent walks from each school strengthen bonds and play an important role. When parents look after their local environment and their children, and nurture them with attention and care through active communication, the foundation is a good one.

Let's take an active part!

The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður encourages parents and guardians to participate in these Home-School information sessions and to take an active part in constructive projects and preventative work within schools and in the community.